A modern day fairy-tale

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By 2017-01-08

By Nirupa MohanCeylon Today Features

The fourth instalment in the teen favourite A Cinderella Story series, released recently. The 92 minute modern day fantasy fairy-tale and teen comedy family film, is a contemporary musical version by director Michelle Johnston, produced together with Dylan Sellers with cinematography by Robert Brinkmann and music by Jake Monaco.

Rated 3/5 on Common Sense Media, 6.1/10 on IMDb and with an audience score of 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, this instalment follows in the footsteps of A Cinderella Story (2004), Another Cinderella Story (2008) and A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (2011), keeping all the important components of the original Cinderella story, while being creative and giving the film a modern day edge. Written by Elena Song, based on the characters created by Leigh Dunlap, the film stars Sofia Carson in the lead role as Tessa (the title character; Cinderella), also referred to as Bella.

Treated like a servant step daughter, Tessa is taken to a Cinderella competition audition by Devine (evil step-mother), played by Jennifer Tilly. She is taken to be the assistant to her step-mother and step-sisters Olympia (Jazzara Jaslyn) and Athena (Amy Louise Wilson) to wait on them, hand and foot, as they try to get lead roles in a play, in a bid to be signed on a major deal.Every Cinderella story has a charming prince, and in this modern day film, it's a pop star, Reed West played by Thomas Law. With auditions in progress, Tessa is encouraged by a new friend, a make-up artist, to try auditioning. With a complete overall change of her appearance, similar to the character from the American musical comedy television series, Hannah Montana (2006-2011), Tessa manages to find the courage to perform as the mystery girl, Bella.

After a lot of costume changes, trying to be at three places at once, this film can feel a bit exhausting as times. But makes up for it with a script that makes the film's dialogue have a quirky, with amusing sense of humour that fits in well with the pacing of the movie that's at times a bit rough on the edges.

With a little bit of romance along the way with her prince charming, Tessa's hesitant view in trying to figure out if she has what it takes makes this movie about following her heart and making her dreams come true. Like A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song, A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits has its own soundtrack album with the same name, featuring 12 tracks released by popular Warner Bros in-house Label, WaterTower Music.

The film portrays over the top drama, specifically in the performance of the stepmother and step-sisters but with the infusion of fun and creative comedy, it becomes a well-balanced entertaining movie that's a treat to watch. In addition, the delightful movie also features a variety of musical entertainment performances that are sure to be enjoyed by a teenage audience.